The Small Animal Medical Oncology Residency Program is a three-year non-degree program designed to provide advanced clinical training in oncology and related fields leading to ACVIM certification. The residents participate in primary patient care, daily rounds, seminars and clinical conferences. Training occurs in the Harrington Oncology Program in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals, located in North Grafton, MA, approximately 40 miles west of Boston. The hospital serves as a major referral center for canine and feline cancer patients from all over New England.

A major portion of the residency will be spent on clinical rotations under the supervision of two board certified medical oncologists and two board certified radiation oncologists. The radiation oncology service boasts a linear accelerator with six MV photon and 6-21 MeV electron capabilities. This unit also has a 56-leaf collimator that allows for IMRT capabilities. A well-educated and supportive technical staff play an important role in the school's clinical and teaching service. In addition, the program is supported by specialists in internal medicine, emergency and critical care, cardiology, neurology, ophthalmology, radiology, surgery, dermatology, exotics, and pathology. Oncology residents rotate through many of these services to increase their overall medical knowledge. As part of the training program, residents in the Department of Clinical Sciences are required to teach students on clinical rotations, assess student performance through student grades and clinical competency tracking, and instruct students in clinical skills laboratories.

Residents have the opportunity to participate in several ongoing clinical trials of new therapeutic agents and procedures, as well as other clinical research. Residents are required to conduct a research project during their residency and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed professional journal before completing their program. Failure to meet this publication requirement may delay signing of the residency certificate. Personal development time is provided for this and to prepare for boards.

Appointments will be made for 12 months with annual renewal based on satisfactory completion of the previous year. A certificate of residency is awarded to the candidate upon successful completion of the training program.

Residents participate in the University benefits programs, including health and life insurance. Annual vacation, a travel allotment and professional liability insurance is provided.